Naco, Rio de Sonora festivities
By Akos Kovach
Business attraction and investor interest was demonstrated with keen precision in Naco,
Sonora on Friday Nov 18. Organizers – Agencia de Promoción
Económico Regional de Naco
– APRECORN, with support
from SEAGO EDD, showcased
community spirit, a wide range
of assets, a willing business
community, maquiladoras opportunities and support from
the private and public sectors.
Local government officials
spent the day with the crowds
that toured the city on two buses provided by the municipality
of Naco.
continued on page 3

Pathways Is Under Construction!

Stay Tuned for the Pathways Labor Staffing Program

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By Alison Van Gorp
Pathways Out of Poverty is
going through a renovation!
We will continue to be a federally funded job training program but will also offer skilled

labor staffing services.
We are proud of the achievements and many successes of
our clients as a result of this
grant.
As our program winds down
in the upcoming months, we
want to harness the momentum
we have built and continue to
connect people to jobs through
the Pathways Labor Staffing
Program.
The Pathways Program was
put into motion in January of
2010. It was a vehicle for job
training designed to assist dis-

advantaged populations such as
eligible veterans, or dislocated
ex-offenders, and unemployed
individuals in becoming jobready for employment within
emerging green industries.
Pathways is funded by the
Department of Labor by way
of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of
2009.
The job training provided
is designed to support career
tracks in the construction
trades, specifically Solar Energy,
continued on page 2

Are You Preparing For Your Export University Opportunity Summit?
By Akos Kovach
Hank Williams Jr. made Monday Night Football more fun with
his anthem — “Are you ready for a party?” And while we are not
planning a party, planning is well under way to bring Export University Economic Opportunity Summits to a city near you.
Are you ready to show off your city, town or county?
A summit is bigger than a meeting,
more powerful than a committee, and able
to jump start a floundering economy when
participants demonstrate enthusiasm and
confidence in what they have to show or
sell.
In last month’s edition of The Turning
Point, we mentioned the concept of organizing at least one Summit in each of
the four counties in the SEAGO Region,
we were also hoping to ascertain interest
in the San Carlos Apache communities
of San Carlos, Bylas and Fort Thomas because attracting business and outside investment to the Tribal area would create new jobs and benefit the
entire region.
Raising the ante
Since then our strategic partners at the SBDC raised the ante.
We are now looking into combining the highly successful and

informative Export University series and international trade initiatives into one major event leveraging resources and bringing extra
value to all attendees.
These opportunity summits plus the talent and professionalism
of the Export University cadre comprised of Department of Commerce, SBA and SBDC professionals who will highlight a strategic
conversation that produces action steps
and real time answers.
By bringing different perspectives to the
same forum the genesis for diversifying
our economy can begin at the local level.
Remember — obstacles are ethereal.
We can change, alter, move or find ways
to work with ‘obstacles’ but it is up to each
of us to convey challenges or impediments
that are currently preventing or obstructing job creation.
These forums will elevate attendees, allow face-to-face meetings with decision
makers and help you get to know the right
people. Attendees will gain valuable information about resources
that are poised to help them achieve success.
The first event will be held at the Cochise College Campus in
Douglas, if you have questions about hosting an Export University Opportunity Summit please contact: economicdevelopment@
seago.org or schmittm@cochise.edu

Pathways . . .

The Turning Point Going Bi-monthly

continued from page 1
Weatherization, and Environmental Remediation.
The investment is significant, with the average
student receiving the equivalent of approximately
$3,000 in training, and in some cases in excess
$5,500.
Industrial and Construction employers can now
benefit from the
services of these
highly trained individuals by hiring
them when they
have a specific labor
needs. Stay tuned to
the SEAGO news
letter for news and
updates on the Pathways Labor Staffing
Program.
For more information
contact:
Alison Van Gorp,
Pathways Job Developer, (520) 6781 4 1 5 . av a n g or p @
seago.org.

By Randy Heiss
The team at SEAGO Economic
Development District is proud to
present another edition of our newsletter to our subscriber list.
It is a great pleasure to provide you
valuable information about the programs, events, successes and experiences of the SEAGO team and our
member agencies and partner organizations within the region.
Monthly production requires a
considerable amount of coordination, teamwork and time, which, as
with any other such effort, comes
with associated expenses.
Like most other non-profits and
governmental agencies, SEAGO has
experienced major reductions in
funding sources, and with the current political climate at the state and
federal level, this trend is expected to
continue.
In response to reduced funding
levels, and in preparation for more of
the same, SEAGO has no choice but

The Turning Point Monthly, December 2011, page 2

to take responsible steps to reduce costs
while balancing those actions in consideration of the value of each service we
provide.
Unfortunately, the monthly production of our newsletter is one area where
we must look to for reducing expenses in
order to stay within our allocated budget.
Therefore, the January edition of our
newsletter will be the last monthly publication and subsequent editions will be
produced on a bi-monthly basis.
We believe that by making this adjustment to our newsletter production
schedule, we can provide you with the
same valuable information you have
been enjoying, while at the same time,
reducing production expenses and allowing staff to focus the associated time
savings on job creation activities.
Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact me
at rheiss@seago.org or (520) 432-5301
Extension 202.

Naco . . .
Impressive list of attributes
Naco sports 21st century
telecommunications, a prominent railroad operation, ample
locations for intra modal opportunities, good highways that
provide access to Agua Prieta,
Cananea and Nogales.
Naco offers an ample water
supply, local electricity, El Paso
gas line provides modern access
to natural gas, nearby farms and
ranches opened their doors to
reveal the wide diversity of produce grown in the area, and an
asset inventory of Naco provided proof for immediate expansion capability.
Dancers from 7 states
The Municipal Auditorium
was aglow with cameras, lights
and reporters from both sides
of the border. Officials from
throughout the state of Sonora
lined up in support, welcoming
all the American guests.
The tour included stops at a
large farming operation, the local tortilla factory, a solid wood
furniture sales and production
business, an indoor-outdoor
iron furniture fabrication operation, tour of the city, a carne
asada luncheon with an amaz-

ing array of traditional folk
dancing representing 7 states
from Mexico.
This cultural program was
spectacular! The tour ended
near the Naco City Museum
and local shopping along the
main street.
The gateway to the Sonora
River Valley complete with
hundreds of years of culture, art

and tradition preceded by over
a thousand years of tribal history as well.
Many sights to see, plenty of
bargains to find. Future events
are being planned, but one thing
is certain â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all the attendees
have become ambassadors of
good will and can testify to the
warm greeting, hospitality and
numerous opportunities to be
found in Naco, Sonora.

Is issued at the beginning of each month by the SouthEastern
Arizona Governments Organization Economic Development
District.
118 Arizona Street, Bisbee, AZ 85603
(520) 432-5301,
economicdevelopment@seago.org
To subscribe, visit www.seagoedd.org
Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;kos Kovach, publisher and editor
Gary Dillard, copy and graphics editor
Items for publication are welcomed from
SEAGO member entities and strategic
partners. Copy must be submitted at
least 7 business days prior to
the end of each month.

This furniture factory (it makes sales to the public) was just one
of Nacoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic attractions the binational crowd visited.

The Turning Point Monthly, December 2011, page 3

Christmas 2011 — Birth of a New Tradition
By A’kos Kovach
As the holidays approach, giant overseas
factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of
cheaply produced goods — some of this
merchandise is produced at the expense of
our own labor pool.
This year can be different. This year
Americans in general but Arizonan’s in particular can choose to give the gift of genuine concern for jobs.
It is time to think outside the box, people.
Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box,
wrapped in overseas produced wrapping
paper?
Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their
hair cut. How about gift certificates from
your local hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all
ages who are thinking about some health
improvement.
Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car
detailed? Small, family-owned detail shops
and car washes would love to sell you a gift
certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you considering a flat-screen TV
or other major appliance as a gift? Many
American companies send parts to Mexico
for assembly and then bring those products
back to the U.S.A. for sale at great savings.
These Mexican assembly plants provide
thousands of jobs along our southern border, and those assembly line employees
come to Arizona to shop.
Yes, stop in the parking lots of Sierra Vis-

Check out your hometown’s Main Street.
ta stores or the mall and count the cars and
trucks from Sonora for yourself. The same
is true through our Region — ask anyone
in Nogales, Bisbee or Douglas. Shoppers
from Mexico travel to Safford and over to
Tucson, too.
Year of the practical gift?
Thinking practical gift? How about a
driveway seal? Or lawn mowed for the
summer? Turquoise Valley Golf Course is
just one of many golf courses throughout
the SEAGO Region — how about gift certificates for games at any of our local golf
courses?
There are a dozens of owner-operated
restaurants — all offer gift certificates. How
about breakfast? Gift certificates for a half

Here in Southeastern Arizona let us encourage our local small
businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams.

dozen breakfasts at a local breakfast joint?
Remember, this is about supporting home
town locally owned stores and businesses.
Their financial lives on the line and we can
keep their doors open.
How many people would appreciate an
oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, with work performed at a shop run by
one of our neighbors?
Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom?
Mom would LOVE the services of a local
cleaning lady for a day.
Okay, you were looking for something
more personal. Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves.
They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Each of our SEAGO
Region cities has a strong Arts community,
how about a sculpture, or work of art?
Plan your holiday gatherings at local, owner-operated restaurants, bed and
breakfast or a local boutique hotel. How
about going out to see a play at one of our
many hometown theatres?
Musicians need love too, find one of the
many venues throughout the SEAGO Region that showcases local bands.
This special time of the year is about
caring, about sharing, about showing love
through many different ways — some of
those ways are by buying gifts. Here in
Southeastern Arizona let us encourage our
local small businesses to keep plugging
away to follow their dreams. Showing concern and demonstrating our care for our
neighbors can become contagious.
It all starts with us. THIS can become
a new tradition during these special holy
holidays.

Commercial Loans Are Flowing
Over the past few months one of our
most important strategic partners, the
SBDC, teamed to showcase local lenders
and introduce them to the business community and entrepreneurs.
Often these events stimulated more questions than answers, but most importantly
this message remains: Commercial loans
are available and are being funded.
Bridge loans, second mortgages, loans
collateralized by hotels, motels, multifamily or mixed use structures are attainable.

Loan size vary with the type of loan but
begin at $100,000-level and run up toward
the $7-million level.
All loans are not created equally, nor do
they serve the same purpose, but don’t let
your dreams and ideas “die in the parking
lot.”
Ask questions. Don’t give up. But most
importantly be realistic.
For help with finding a lender for your
commercial loan please contact economicdevelopment@seago.org or schmittm@
cochise.edu. We stand ready to help!

Graham County Board Demonstrates Leadership
This article was contributed by the Graham
County Board of Supervisors and published
on Nov. 27 in the Eastern Arizona Courier.
The Graham County Board of Supervisors is calling on state lawmakers to repeal
or suspend a series of budget maneuvers
that are projected to cost Arizona’s 15 counties over $90 million this year.
“Arizona counties have absorbed $288
million in state budget impacts since 2008,
including $93 million in fiscal year 2012,”
the Nov. 7 resolution stated. “These shifts
have inflicted significant financial pressures
on counties already reeling from the financial effects of the recession.”
In a demonstration of the measure’s urgency, the resolution was signed by every
elected official in the county, including
Sheriff P.J. Allred. Addressed to state lawmakers, the resolution calls on the Legislature to:
• Repeal the planned transfer of state
prisoners to county jails.
• Eliminate the mandatory county contributions (forced county payments to the
state).
• Freeze the diversion of county road
building and maintenance dollars.

“Graham County simply does not have
the financial capacity to absorb additional
impacts from the state,” said Supervisor
Jim Palmer, chairman of the board. “The
county is willing to partner with the state
on budget solutions but is asking for relief
from these specific impacts. We hope our
state lawmakers will heed the call and respond.”
Security risks and financial challenge
Supervisor Palmer addressed the state
prisoner shifts to the counties as simply unmanageable. “At a time when our county’s
facility is being utilized to capacity, transferring state prisoners to Graham County
not only creates additional security risks
but presents a financial challenge of (more
than) $250,000 when we have no way of offsetting it.”
Supervisor Drew John noted that county
contributions to the state are not sustainable.
“We have managed our affairs diligently,
and for the state to request continued contributions, simply because they can, will
require Graham County citizens to receive
services that are drastically reduced.”

Supervisor Mark Herrington expressed
his concern over HURF shifts.
“Graham County will now be forced to
delay scheduled maintenance on our roadways. Our hope is that the roads do not
decay to the point of having to rebuild as
opposed to maintain,” he said.
The resolution points out that counties responded quickly to the recession in
2008 by making real cuts to county spending while the state was balancing its budget
with rollovers and accounting maneuvers.
It also says counties have limited authority
to increase revenue, making state cost shifts
particularly difficult to absorb.
The resolution also points to looming financial impacts that are likely to exacerbate
the county’s financial struggles, including declining assessed valuations and potential reductions in support from federal
programs such as PILT (payment in lieu of
taxes) and Secure Rural Schools.
“The combination of declining property values, state budget impacts and likely
losses in federal revenue is making it more
difficult than ever for Graham County to
maintain a balanced budget and provide
services,” Palmer said.

Why Do So Many Germans Visit Cochise County?
This article was written for the Sierra
Vista City Page in the Sierra Vista Herald by
Erika K. Breckel, who is in charge of media,
public relations and film for the City of Sierra Vista.
Known throughout Germany, and German-speaking nations, as the most popular American Old West adventure novelist,
Karl May (pronounced ‘my’ in English) has
indirect ties to Sierra Vista.
May lived most of his life in Radebeul,
which is near Dresden in southeast Germany and is Sierra Vista’s sister city; a museum
there is dedicated to the author.
Born on Feb. 25, 1842 (died on March
30, 1912), into a poor family of 14 children,

May was one of five who survived. He had
a troubled youth, having been in and out
of jail and prison for theft and fraud. His
incarceration, however, led him down the
law-abiding career path of writing, as one
of the pleasures he found while imprisoned
was reading good stories.
The love that Germans have for the untamed Old West is, by all accounts, attributed to May.
While never having traveled to the American Southwest, May’s colorful, captivating
and thought-provoking novels were born of
his imagination and delved into what he believed were the hardships of the American
Indian — the Apache.
Read more about Karl May

The Turning Point Monthly, December 2011, page 5

Education Reform in Arizona — What’s the plan?

Regional Events

Throughout the state there is great concern about status of education in Arizona
and a growing recognition about the importance of preparing our students for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM) careers.
GAZeL, the Greater Arizona eLearning Association, invites interested persons
to participate in this Education Reform
Roundtable with the leadership of three key
organizations that are developing STEM
and education reform plans and strategies.
The Roundtable will include a brief overview from each member of the panel followed by questions and audience participation.
The organization particularly wants
participants to share their thoughts about
the role of technology and eLearning in
Arizona’s education reform initiatives. The
agenda includes exhibits and lunch and
complimentary passes to visit the Arizona
Science Center.

Dec. 3 & 4, Cascabel, Annual Cascabel Community Fair from 10-4 each
day. The Cascabel Community Fair
is a unique celebration of rural Arizona beauty, history, hospitality, diversity and artistic expression. Take
I-10 through Benson to exit 306. Head
north through Pomerene. Follow the
signs for 20 more miles on a scenic
country road. The last five miles are
unpaved.
Dec. 8, Bisbee, Right Path health
screenings, First Baptist Church of Bisbee, 1173 W. Highway 92, call (800)
770-0240 to schedule your tests. Test
include heart ultrasound, atrial fibrillation test, stroke screen (a carotid ultrasound), thyroid ultrasound, test peripheral arterial disease and abdominal
ultrasound.
Dec. 10, Tubac, Cowboy Christmas begins at 1 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Plaza
on Calle Baca and Plaza Road. Experience the culture of Sonora. Donations
and proceeds benefit the Santa Cruz
Community Foundation. Call (520)
761-4532 for more information.

Cost for registration is $20 in advance or
$25 at the door.
The Roundtable will be held Dec. 13 from
11:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Arizona Science
Center in Phoenix Heritage and Science
Park in downtown Phoenix, 600 E. Washington St. There will be free statewide audio
and web conferencing.
Panelists include:
Rebecca Gau, Director, Governor’s Office
Of Education Innovation. Rebecca is developing recommendations to submit to the
Governor in December.
John Huppenthal, Superintendent of
Public Instruction, Arizona Department
Of Education
Leonard Fine, Scientific Program Officer,
Science Foundation Arizona representing
the Foundation’ STEM initiatives and the
Arizona STEM Network.
For information and registration, visit
the organization’s website at www.gazel.
org/node/838.

Online Articles
➢ A new technology-commercialization
center at the University of Arizona was created to advance movement of ideas to the
marketplace.
➢ The state Legislature next year may reconsider a new law requiring municipalities to share a $7 million burden to fund the
Arizona Department of Water Resources,
Republican lawmakers say.
➢ Shouting Secrets is a story of a splintered Indian family trying to connect in a
time of crisis. It is the first feature film by
Korinna Sehringer, and stars some of Indian country’s leading talent.

Staff change in SEAGO’s Medicare program
For the past four and a half years Grace
Murcio has been the Medicare/Health Insurance Counselor for SEAGO. However,
Grace has decided to ‘move back home’ after Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7, 2011. Grace will be sorely missed
by the many seniors that she has helped
throughout the SEAGO Region. In order
to ensure a smooth transition, Grace will be
spending the next couple of weeks helping

to train her replacement.
We welcome Adam Casillas who will
serve in this important role. Adam was
raised in southeastern Arizona and is fully
bi-lingual in English and Spanish.
Adam previously worked for the USDA
and as an added bonus Adam is a certified
EMT. Please join us in welcoming Adam
Casillas to the SEAGO Medicare Insurance
Program.

The Turning Point Monthly, November 2011, page 6

Courage to Stand for Arizona’s Forests
From Fox News, Nov. 17
EAGAR, Ariz. — The Wallow Fire was
the biggest fire in Arizona history, and now
a group from the White Mountain region,
made up of lawmakers, business owners
and residents, wants more control over the
forest.
The group, calling themselves “Courage
to Stand for Arizona’s Forests,” says this fire
could have been less damaging, had the forest been cleared.
“Our tree density in some areas is running anywhere from 1,200 trees per acre to
2,200 trees per acre. And it is supposed to
be, according to the Department of Interior,
70 trees per acre,” says Doyle Shamley from
Apache County Natural Resources.
The Wallow Fire burned mostly on federal land. The group, led by State Sen. Sylvia
Allen, wants to challenge federal policies
and get state and private entities into the
forest to help clear it out.
“All of our people up on our mountain are
from all political persuasions, and I would
say confidently that 95 percent of them are
behind what we are trying to do. They want
to save our forest,” says Sen. Allen.
Read complete article

Part of the “Courage” group with one of the trees that was damaged by the Wallow Fire.
Sen. Sylvia Allen is at the center of the group.

Sen. Allen’s Statement
Sylvia Allen, Arizona Senate President
Pro Tem, represents parts of Graham and
Greenlee counties. She made the following
statement at a news conference at the State
Capitol on Nov. 17.
The Fire season is over but the consequences are not. Arizona forests are still in
a state of emergency. We must aggressively

thin and log to return our forest to pre-settlement stands of trees that our ecosystem
can support.
The fires left thousands upon thousands
of trees dead, and the consequences will be
a clogged forest of trees that are falling over
and emitting CO2 for years to come.
Read Sen. Allen’s complete statement

NADO Legislative Update
Action Needed on EDA: Rep. Pompeo Bill to Eliminate EDA
Action Needed on RTPOs and MPOs: Senate EPW Committee Moves Surface
Transportation Bill; House Prepares to Move its Version
Update on First “Minibus” Appropriations Package
1. Action Needed: Rep. Pompeo Bill to
Eliminate EDA: On Oct. 4, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) introduced legislation (H.R.
3090) in the U.S. House of Representatives
to eliminate the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA).
Since introducing the bill, Rep. Pompeo
has been aggressively pushing the legislation through blogs, cable news appearances, and multiple “Dear Colleague” letters in
the House.
The proposal makes it harder for the
This was prepared by Deborah Cox, Director of Government Relations and Legislative
Affairs, The National Association of Development Organizations.

House and Senate Appropriations Committees to maintain level funding for EDA
in the future.
In addition, it makes it more difficult to
advance a multi-year reauthorization bill in
the House and Senate next year. We need
your assistance with the following:
• We need your help to identify a House
Republican that will support EDA by circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter in the
House, particularly if your Representative
is a Republican that serves on the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
If your Republican member of Congress
is willing to support EDA by sponsoring a
Dear Colleague letter, contact NADO Leg-

islative Director Deborah Cox at (202) 6248590. If your Representative voted to restore funding to EDA earlier this year (see
voting scorecard the factsheet), please write
a thank you letter and ask if they would be
willing to circulate a Dear Colleague letter.
Please reference the attached EDA Action
Alert which includes a draft letter.
2. Action Needed: Senate EPW Committee Moves Surface Transportation Bill;
House Looks to Move its Version: On Nov.
9, the Senate Environment and Public
Works Committee (EPW) considered and
unanimously approved a two-year surface
transportation reauthorization bill “MAP21.”
In the original Senate draft bill, local
elected officials (particularly in rural areas)
would have had a seat at the table during
the state transportation planning process.
Visit our blog to see the rest of this
article and fact sheets.

The Turning Point Monthly, November 2011, page 7

AEPCO Hosts Session on Its Source of ED Funding
By Gary Dillard
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative made a big impact on
its service area recently when
it was able to make a $300,000
low-interest-rate loan to Northern Cochise Community Hospital in Willcox to help it purchase hardware and software
needed for electronic medical
records.
Not only will residents within
the coop’s service area benefit
from better medical service, but
the hospital will get reimbursed
through a federal program for
the cost of the high-tech enhancement and, when it pays
back the loan, AEPCO will be
able to loan the funds out again
for further economic enhancement in the region.
Win-win-win.
This is the essence of the Rural
Economic Development Loan
& Grant Program (called “redleg”), which AEPCO wants to
continue and grow, all to the
benefit of the SEAGO Region.
People with an interest in
rural economic development
gathered in Benson at the AEPCO board room on Nov. 18 for
a day-long training session on
REDL&G and how it can assist
their communities.
Some years back, explained
Geoff Oldfather of AEPCO, who

handles community relations
for the coop, it put up $80,000
of its own funds as a match to
get a $400,000 grant through
the REDL&G program.
It has $180,000 remaining in
that fund and wants to disburse
it to a worthy development
project, preferably — though
not necessarily — within its
service area so that it becomes
eligible for another round of
such funding. In turn, it will be
able to put that money to work
in the area, effectively setting up
a revolving-loan fund.
Any consumer-owned utility
can participate in the REDL&G
program and there are four other such coops in the Region.
Conducting the training at
Benson were to of Oldfather’s
peers, Tom Lambrecht of Great
River Energy in Minnesota and
Clare Gustin of Sunflower Electric Power Corp. in Kansas.
Lots of good results
Each gave example after example of how they had been
able to use the program to help
create businesses in their area,
from assisting hospital with
growth (medical establishments get priority) to helping
replace grocery stores in rural
areas that had been devastated
by tornados.

Folks with an interest in sources of funding for economic development around the SEAGO Region attended a day-long session at the
Arizona Electric Power Cooperative headquarters in Benson Nov.
18 to hear from ED experts at other electric coops discuss the Rural
Economic Development Loan & Grant Program. At the podium is
Tom Lambrecht and next to him is Clare Gustin.
The money for the loans or
grants to the coops comes from
interest on funds the nation’s
coops have in a federal program.
The coops can get loans,
which they broker to businesses
in their region and are responsible for paying back to the national fund, or grants, which
they keep and use to set up a
revolving loan fund.
The businesses must pay back
the any fund they get through
REDL&G from the coop.
The coop, through its board
or through a community-based
committee (which AEPCO has

in place) can determine the interest rate, which generally is
going to be far lower than market rate, as well as terms and the
type of collateral that is needed.
It thus has considerable flexibility in how it can help rural
businesses in its area.
The loan to Northern Cochise, which is feeling the pain
of federal and state budget cuts,
are all rural hospitals, was set at
3%, for example, considerably
below the commercial rate.
For information on the
REDL&G loan program, contact Geoff Oldfather at AEPCO
at (520) 586-3631.

Newest Round of Rural Economic Development Grants
The newest round of Rural Economic Development
Grants is intended to support
rural communities with limited
budgets to initiate and sustain
economic development projects that focus on job growth
and capital investment in base
industries.
Grants will provide financial assistance to cities, towns,
counties, non-profit economic
development groups, and tribal
communities for economic development efforts.

The Program is designed to
promote local self-sufficiency
by providing direct assistance to
rural communities for Projects
that help (i) attract new business development from other
states and/or (ii) retain and expand existing businesses, with
both designed for the purpose
of job creation.
Successful Proposals will be
aligned with these Program
goals and will describe Projects
that involve innovative and cost
effective methods of achieving

them. The Program will utilize
a competitive Proposal process,
with each Proposal comprehensively analyzed by a committee.
The full grant award description, eligibility, submission

The Turning Point Monthly, November 2011, page 8

information, terms and conditions can be found at this link.
Or contact Thomas Doyle, Rural
Programs Manager, (602) 8451228 or reach him by email at
thomasd@azcommerce.com.